Cushioned container unit



Oct. 10, 1961 J. s. HARDIGG CUSHIONED CONTAINER UNIT Filed Aug. 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 James S. Hard/jy Oct. l0, 1961 .1.s. HARDIGG 3,003,622

cusHoNrfznY CONTAINER UNIT Filed Aug. 26. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 James `5 Hard/yy ATTORNEY v"llnited States Patent O 3,003,622 CUSHIONED CONTAINER UNIT James S. Hardigg, Washington, D.C. (58 Middle St., Hadley, Mass.)

Filed Aug. 26, 1953, Ser. No. 376,732 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-46) This invention relates to improvements in packaging, more particularly to improved cushioned packages or containers.

As is known, the transportation of frangible materials such as eggs, glass containers, and the like, and readily bruised edible products, such as fruits, poses a real problem in the packaging art. The prior patent art and pertinent literature is replete with suggestions as to particular transportation packages which would minimize breakage or fracture ofthe packaged contents. Generally considered, the packages which have been proposed, as well as those currently in use, are of two types. One type is exemplified, for example, by egg cartons and comprises an external package or container of cellulose within which is mounted one or more sheets or padding memrugated paper board, wood and the like within which is i nested a similarly shaped or conformed package of smaller dimensions. Such inner package is cushioned with respect to the outer container by a variety of expedients the most common of which is the interposition of a cushioning medium such as soft, matted cellulosic pads or sheets, or pads of sponge'rubber. In this type of package the cushioning medium is placed between each of spaced, parallel walls of the two-nested cartons or packages. Thus, in the case of the common cubical container, this older method requiresa symmetrical arrangement involving six pads or cushioning members in order to reduce the impact thrust incidental to handling and transportation. In such packages the relative movement between adjacent faces is only buffered or'cushioned by compression of the padding or cushioning interposed between such faces. During such a unidirectional relative movement, the remaining pads or cushioning members do not function to any material extent as energy absorbing units. Thus a shock normal to one face of such a package is absorbed almost solely by the compression ofthe cushion adjacent to that face while'the cushions adjacent to the remaining ve faces absorb practically none of the shock.

A modification of the above described cushioned package comprises spaced, nested, outer and inner packages between all of the respectively parallel sides or surfaces of which, are interposed compression spring members adapted to oatingly support the inner package or container on and within the outer container. 'This type functions like the type using the symmetrical arrangement of sponge rubber pads; this is to say that the force of impact on one side or face of the package is taken up almost entirely by compression of the springs interposed between the parallel faces of the container on such impact side.

Another modiiication of this type vutilizes tension springs between each of the adjacent corners of the nested inner and outer containers. In this type of structure a shock normal to one face or side of the package is absorbed by the increased tension of the springs on the corners of the opposite side.

"ice

It is apparent that the above described type of symmetrically cushioned package or carton presents many disadvantages. A major disadvantage is the very substantial cost involved in the cushioning material especially where the more eicient sponge rubber cushioning pads are used. As noted in the case of the typical cubical package, six pads or sheets are required. This high cost, while perhaps not inordinate for packaging of special highly priced articles, such for example as thermionic tubes and other electronic elements or devices, does greatly militate against the use of such package for cheaper items. Another disadvantage is the fact that the assemblage of such a package is time consuming, requiring as it does the insertion of the large number of pads.

As a result of considerable experiment and test, it has been found that excellent asymmetrically, dynamically balanced packages may be economically produced using but a modicum of cushioning material, which, as will be seen hereinafter, may be approximately one-sixth of that now required in the current type.

The invention is based on the concept which is as novel as it is simple and efficacious. Broadly considered, the invention is based on the concept of advantageously and fully utilizing the elastic characteristics of a resilient or elastomeric material, such as sponge rubber, as a suspension and cushioning medium in cushioned packages. The novelty of the invention can be more readily appreciated by reverting again to the type of cushioned package previously discussed. In such typical prior art package, as explained, a pad or sheet of sponge rubber is inserted between each of the spaced parallel sides or surfaces of the package and is unattached to such surfaces. Each of such pads function in only one direction of relative movement of such two sides to absorb and cushion such movement, this absorption of energy being taken up in compression of the pad or sheet. Thus in such packages only the elastic compressive strength of the cushioning material on one side is utilized while the pads on the remaining sides are substantially inoperative because they absorb practically none of the energy of shock and hence a truly symmetrical arrangement of the cushioning materials to the planar or curvilinear parallel sides of the nested container is necessary.

In sharp contradistinction to this, the present invention contemplates an association of an elastomeric cushioning material with an inner and outer container such that each cushioning unit, such as a sponge rubber pad, functions as an energy absorption element whatever be the direction of relative movement between the exterior and interior nested container. This associatiomas will be seen, is such that in each cushioning unit energy is absorbed under compression and/or tension and/ or shear. This, as will be seen more fully hereinafter, can be simply accomplished by physically attaching or bonding one or more cushioning pads to a section of each of opposed parallel surfaces of the inner and outer containers, so that each pad, in eiect, is a tridimensional cushioning unit. Invoking this multidirectional cushioning eect, it will be apparent that the arrangement of the cushioning units with the container units need not be symmetrical lbut may be asymmetrical. l

The invention will be more readily comprehended, and its utility evaluated, from a consideration of certain typical physical embodiments as depicted in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional View, taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 2 of a typical form of a nested, cubical package embodying novel features of the invention;

PIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken Von line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a modification of the invention;

- FIG. .4 is a horizontal .sectional of another modi.: cation of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 5-5 of `FIG. 6, illustrating the invention embodied ina cylindrical type cushioned container;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken on line of BLG. 5; FIG. 7 is a horizontal section, taken on line 7-7 of comprising the parallel side walls 1 and 2, adjacent side Y Walls 3 and 4 and the top and bottom walls 5 and 6.

Y These latter walls, as in typical box construction, are

formed of two sections which are adapted to be folded down and taped or otherwise attached to -form ilush top and bottom walls ofthe container.

Nested within the exterior container is a similarly conformed interior container in which the transportable items ,or devices are packed. Such interior container comprises the parallel side walls l1 and 2', connected adjacent side `Walls 3 and 4 and the -top and bottom walls 5 land .65. The two containers may 'be vvmade of any suitable materials, such as Ypaper box board, wood, plywood, metals, plastics and reinforced plastics and the like. :The materials used in fabrication of the outer container may he .the same as or diiierent from Athat employed `for the inner container. When the containers are made of box board, they may be formed'in Ythe vat and assembled Yrectilinear' Vforml in the conventional manner.

As shown in FIGSY. `1 and 2, the inner container -is .spaced frpm the outer .container on all of ,its sides. in accordance with Vthe invention, the inner container is suspended or -oatingly mounted onthe exterior container `by fnlastomerie pads or lunits adapted to function as energy absorption elements. In the simple embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .such units -may comprise the sponge gjubber pads 7 and 8. Preferably these are of a length Yand width somewhat 'less than that of the continuous sides 1 and 2' of the inner container. `Where circumstances dictate, they lmay vbe of the same or slightly Alonger .and wider than the continuous sides ofthe inner container. In assembling the unit, the opposite faces of the pads are glued or adhered respectively to the inner surface of the outer container angl-the puter surface gf 7the inner container as indicated at 9 and 10. y I y In the preferred form of the invention, the thickness V.of the pads 7 and 8 is selected vas slightly greater than .the distance between container Vwalls -1 and -l andi2 and 'r2'. In these circumstances, when the pads `7 and 8 are glued or adhered yto tbe contiguous-walls of the outer and inner containers, in the assembled `form shown, the two pads are slightly compressed and the inner ,container (is ,thus suspended or mounted on the outer container nnder resilient compression and the Yweight of the Linner package or carton is thus exibly supported and withoutiplacing any material `normal stress' on the glue or adhesive oint.

It will be observed that with the spacing of the winner .and outer containers and with the type f Kc oinpressive ,elastic mounting means shown, anumber of advantages accrue. While such mounting, involving "but two -pnits 7 and 8 is asymmetrical, -the interior package is nevertheless symmetrically and dynamically vbalanced within-the outer container andthe two pads function as cushioning media whatever be the direction of the relative movement between the two containers. is bepause Vthe elastic pads are attached or locked to the -two containers and thus uses the tridimensional elasticity l (in compression .or tenspnnr shear). of the cushioning material for absorbing, for example, the energy of impact on the outer container. This can readily be seen from a consideration of the assembled package, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, Yit an impact force were ted through .tile Pads il and Wha s the energy is Substantially absorbed .by these `pads vn shear, i.e.,`in the direction 3 4. If such a force were applied to wall i ci the V.outer container `then .energy is absorbed by pa. -7 acting nader compression and simultaneousiy by pad 8 acting under tension. Conversely, if the force were applied to side fg, 4thetl pads ,8 and 7 lfunction in a similar complementary manner, nad .8 absorbing energy under compression .and pad 7 under tension. While the two pads 7 and 8 .th-us act a complementary manner, it is to be observed that earch single pad performs the described triple function of multidirectional energy absorption. YThus -itis not essentialthat two opposite .absorption units, such as 7 and 8, be employed in all package construction. 4I-t is feasible, -in certain cases, as -will be more fully described in connection Figi 4, to attach the elastomeric cushioning or: units to 'hilt vone opposed side of each the inner and outer container.

l'It is .apparent that by 4invoking `the concepts of the inlttention, a package, such as is .shown in FIG. l provide-s the full .cushioning etl'ect heretofore thought to be achievable only by cushioning on all spaced sides ofthe nested Apackage units. Thus, -it A.is obyions that a completely cushioned `package may be fabricated using but a modicum of the elastic cushioning material and that the ert- .pense .of fabricatim is commensurately reduced. Each of .the pads can-be made .relatiyely small as compared to 4prior art Apads because certain amount of energy yis absorbed Yby VVthe .simultaneously operating pad or pads.

It .will "be appreciated thatfthe invention is suscepti- 'ble of avvide permissive variation in embodiment in `various types and designs of packages. Thus, for example, the invention may be embodied in what, `for .the sake of a terni, is apermanent .ruggedrunitfor continuous use .with .yaI number of -packag'esvvhich in Yusebecome distorted, broken,.etc. An' example offsuch astructure is shown .in PIG. 3."' fhis, Yaslvviil be seen, functions lin a similar manner -to the packages .previously described. VIn such a unit .the elastomer-ic cdshionings .arefatta'ched .to Aintermediate .rugged panel .members to form .a relatively permanent Y.unit which maybe attached to nested 'containers and later removed for ree;xfiployment other .nested packages .or containers.

` As Vshown.in FISI. :3, a'single pad or two vrelatively spaced sponge .rubber cushioning .pads -11 and -12 are attached as by `the adhesive `joints to the rigid panels yi3 and 14 to `form a .ruggednnit structure.' The panels may 'be of any suitable stiff .material such as plywood. 4,plastic sheeting, relatively Ythin'fgauge sheet-metal and `the like, and .the panels `maybe .tapped or perforated, as shown at i9, .to `provide .aperturesfor the subsequent insertion .of staples vor other attaching .means whereby lthe junits `may be firmly and .rigidly .attached .to containers of limited durability such, for example, as the typical box-board cartons.v

in .assemblying this type cf paclgage Vthe p refabricated .suspension .unitsenrbodying the parallel .panels and inte-r- Vposed, firmly attach-ed elastic'cushioning pads '11 and d?. areinserted between-the .spaced sides 1S`and and i7 and 18 ofthe nested containers designated generally as E and L As shown, `the .size ofthe panels preferably generally conforms to the nsize of the' contiguous sides of lthe innercontainer. lAs inthe case ofthe unit et FIG. l, rit is preferable, althongh `not essential, .to --have ythe .over-.all width of theunit 11-12--13i4 slightly greater than wthe distancebetween Athe parallel walls l 1S-16 and 4Iii-1S. Upon insertion of the kcu'sliiioning unit the pads 11 and 12 are slightly compressed and the panels are rather rmly abutted against the contacting surfaces of the nested containers. After emplacement of the cushioning units, the panel 14 is attached to the wall 15 and the panel 13 to the wall 16 by means of staples or other suitable attachment means 19', such attachment means passing through apertures 19 previously formed in the panels or being forced through with a suitable tool depending on the material of which the panels are formed. In these circumstances, the inner container is attached to the outer container through the medium of the pads 11 and 12 and a strong package of desirable rigidity is formed. This assembled cushioned package functions in the same manner as the unit shown in FIG. l. Because of their iirm attachment to the walls of the inner and outer containers (through the medium of the sandwich pan-els 13 and le) the pads 11 and 12 acting under compression and/ or tension and/ or torsion and/ or shear function to absorb the impact energy imposed on the packaging unit.

When the exterior container E or interior container l becomes broken, damaged or otherwise rendered undesirable or unt for further use, the permanent panel units can then be detached and reused by assembly in a new nested container structure. A

The special cushioning means comprehended by the invention may be embodied in nested `packages of other and specically different designs. rThis is because of the fact that each elastic pad, when attached to the inner and outer container is, in elect, a complete or universal cushioning medium because it is capable of absorbing energy under compression and/or tension and/or shear and/or torsion or combinations thereof.

A modiiication of the invention which accomplishes the purpose of the invention and which is very economical to assemble is shown in FIG. 4. This type of package is especially useful for shipment of articles or materials whose gross weight is relatively small. Such a unit may comprise an external container comprised of the relatively long parallel side walls 2t) arid 21 and the connected Shorter side walls 22 and 23 together with bottom and top Walls (not shown). Nested Within the exterior container and spaced from the side, top and bottom Walls is a second similarly shaped container comprised'of elongated side 'walls 2d and 25 and the connected end Walls 26 and 27, together with top and bottom Walls (not shown). interposed between the parallel walls on one side of the units, for example, between side wall 29 of the exterior container and side wall 25 of the interior container is sponge rubber cushioning medium. Preferably such cushioning attachment is comprised of two spaced pads 2S and 29 which, as previously described are each anchored to the walls 20 and 25 by means of a suitable adhesive. The pads 28 and 29 as in previously described modifications are of a length approximately equal to the height of the side wall 25 or" the inner container.

l It will be seen t-.rat in this type of structure, as in the previous modifications, the elastomeric .cushioning elements 23 and 29 perform the complete functions of the Vsix cushioning units of the prior art. The units 2S and 29 by reason of their direct attachment to the exterior and interior containers support the latter in spaced position in the former. The units act under elastic compression to absorb energy of impact applied to side 2i) and act under elastic tension to absorb energy of impact applied to opposite side 2l. As previously explained, such cushioning medium acting under shear absorbs energy of impact applied to end walls 22 or 2-3. The energy of relative rotational movement of the interior and exterior containers is absorbed in the units under elastic torsion.

A unit of the type shown in FIG. 4 is particularly easy to assemble. In the fabrication of the unit, the pads '.28 and 2? may be adhered to the side wall 20 at any convenient stage in the formation of the outer container.

To assemble the iinal or complete package, it isonly necessary to apply the chosen adhesive to au area (which may be previously indicated or marked) on the wall 25 of the inner container and to insert or slide the inner container into the outer container until the marked section on the inner container is juxtaposed to the pads 28 and 29. This insertion may be made without contact of the pads with the wall of the inner container by sliding the inner container along the opposite wall (c g. wall 21) until the inner container reaches its proper matched position whereupon the inner container may be pressed against the pads to establish the adhesive point.

As indicated previously, the invention is not limited or restricted to any particular shape or size ofthe nested containers. The invention can be embodied in the typical cubical or other forms of rectilinear packages such as is shown in FIGS. l, 3 and 4, or in any other shape of package such as the nested tubular or cylindrical shipping containers shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. ln the case of cylindrical shipping containers, the same essential concepts of the invention are invoked, as Will be appreciated from a consideration of the illustrative embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Thus the essentially novel features of the invention may be embodied in a nested cylindrical-type shipping unit comprised of nested, spaced cylindrical units in which the stress-taking elements are `advantageously positioned about the circumference of the two concentric packages comprising the complete unit. The rationale of utilization of the invention in a cylindrical type container can more readily be appreciated from a consideration of one typical specic embodiment, such as is shown in lFIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, as in those previously described, the full potential energy-absorbing function of the interposed elastomeric buer elements is utilized.

The shipping container, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, may comprise the outer tubular or cylindrical container or casing 30. This may be of the type now generally employed and may be fabricated of paper board stock, metals and the like. Such container is provided with an integral or detachable bottom wall or face 31, and a top cover or closure 32.' This latter may comprise, for example, a removable closure which can be locked or anchored to the container 30 in any conventional manner, as by means of a metallic locking ring having a Itoggle type or other locking mechanism. V

Associated with such external container Sil is a con- -formed inner cylindrical container comprising the cylindrical unit 33, formed with the bottom wall 34 and the top wall 35. Either the bottom wall 34 or the top wall 3S, or both, may be formed as a detachable closure which is frictionally or positively locked to the cylindrical unit 33 by any appropriate means. The interior container (in which the transportable articlesv are packed), is spaced throughout from the exterior container and as in the modications previously discussed is resiliently mounted on the outer container. The suspension or mounting means comprises elastomeric material so respectively associated with the two nested containers that each such mounting element functions as an energy-absorption or bulering unit in any direction of relative movement of the two nested containers, which may be occasioned by an impact force applied to the outer container and which is incident to normal handling during shipment or delivery.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, such resilient, energyabsorption inter-connection between the nested containers may comprise a series of elastomeric cushioning elements 36, 37 and 38. As shown, particularly in lFIG. 6, these preferably consist of elongated, relatively narrow strips of elastomeric material, such as sponge rubber, which can be of the same lengths, or as shown, slightly less than the axial length of the inner container 33. In this modication the cushioning strips 36, 37 and 38 are positioned In light'ofthe evious discussion it will be apparent thatthei'paclfiage unit s hovvn'in FIGSS and 6 functions tothe rectangular packages in FIGS. 1 and 3 mais ts'ssythsrs'sask serein te s par:

tricular portion of the surface Yofthe'exterior container tfor`V to the toporbottoni'thereo, is"absorbed. in part by each of ythecushioning rlihus shock applied normal tothe surface of 'the exterior container adjacentthecushioningmounting 38V, will be absorbed by all tlhree elastomeric suspensionunits, In such event, a portion of Vthe energy is absorbed by pad 38, acting `under ent compression, and a portion by pads 36 and 37, actingwsiiriultaineouisnly under-'elastic tension and shear. Similarly; a'shock' applied 'to either the bottom or top surfacesV 31 or 32 yvillbe `absorbed by all three elastomerio suspension or units, acting under elastic 'w It'ivill be apparent from the prei/ions discussion that a i mf a? ed la r we: tainers iuhichinvohef'the novel concept 'of the invention s 'The it 1S' ast sesary' 'that g m ans be in the form of Vertical su h as is sr glich"circiinifentiw M `A Y* A is valso"apparent` that"theinterlockinghresilient ymounts need not he continui/)ugly irgumferenual, but may Ycornpiise curyilineaf segmental w'ttached at chosen por; l' 'elvis insistieand "in which the Vresilient tainers is shown"in a typicalsimple" embodiment' in FGS. ]ndg. ,r

As there shown, the shipping container may comprise the outer Ycylindrical' package `or container "gli, provided i '43, ei erlor both' of which may be adfasbla @ad rsmsvable Closure Nested v'v'ithin ad Spend f fofa tassi/lindas@ ad'psna Srf f the outer container is a 'larly conformed innerY clone einer mais@ or andere' are ed 'as batpm topsu'faces' 45 vand eitherwor both'oi which may be detachable cio'sure in inner conftainer, as shoyvnfis associa i -Witllzi the lupper'sponge rubber ring`47 ahd a similar lower ring'fl These are preferably Vspaceda short distance'frorn the to'pu'i and bottom "ofY such'cohtainer. suspension and stress-taking rings Yare attached to the outerY wall of the inner container by".v application of a suitable adhesive. In the modication sii'vvn 1n Figs. fand 8 a separate sleeve is t'tedl the-outer container. Thisi is of substantially the length askthat of the drvall of the outer contanerand ts more or lesssnugly against the inner tubularY vvail of outer container. lt will be seen that the sleeve abuts the top `i3 and V4bottom oi the outer container and is thus iirmly held in position Within the outer container.V The cushioning rings'd'f and 48 are attached tothe contiguous'iiinersurfacefs o `the sleeve by means of adhesive'bohd 51mm i The sleeve 50 may be constructed of any suitable material such as relativelyh'eavy'box board, suitable sheet or corrugated metals and the lilr'e which can irnpart strength and rigidity to the container.

In fabricating such a container, Vthe'inner package `or container maybe irst attached to the sleeveStl'by means .tainers, the full elastomeric qualities of the cushioning 8 of the glue joints 49 and 51 bonding the intermedia@ rings 47 and 48Y to both the container 44 and sleeve This unit may then be linserted in (the enterior container so that the sleeve 5 0' closely YabutsV the cylindrical of such container. 4The sleeve is locked or hel-d in position in the contaunerdupon closing the top and/or'bot-V tom closures 43 and/or 42. lThis type ofstructure pro vides eminently' strong package -and'one in Whiohthe exterior container may be' readily replaced when desirable as, for example, when such outer container becomes damaged and unt for further serviceable use. The ner container unit with its attached sleeve can thus be remployed for a very considerable period.

This structure functions essentially in the same manner as those previously described, in that each pad functions simultaneously With the other pad to absorb the energy of impactY in whatever direction such impact is applied', Such energy absorption, `depending on the direction of the applied impact force, may be taken up under elastic compression, tension, shear or torsion or a combination ofV one or more of these.

While in the unit shown in FGS. 7 and 3 the elastomeric cusmoning units are shown as complete rings, it is apparent that they may comprise one or more segmental units. These units may, for example, comprise two semicylindrical pad members one of which may be attached tothe upper portionY of the inner container and sleeve at one side and the other `of which may be attached the lower portion of the inner container and sleeve at the opposite or diametric side. Also such segmental cushioning units need not necessarily comprise semicylindrical segments but may compriseV a number of emails/egrnents attached to the inner container and sleeve at appropriate circumferential points.

it is apparent that in lieu of utilizing the sleeve lunit 5t) .the elastomeric pads may be adhere-rl directly to the inner and outer containers Vas is done in the structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

It will be apparent,Y also, that i H u ing units may be associated'in thesame shipping container with elongated strips of cushioning which may be attached to fthe opposing walls or' the nesting container either in a vertical or diagonal position. As will be understood by those skilled in the art', ythe allocation and relative positioning ofthe cushioning umts will'be largely determined by the effectiveness of the elastomeric material, that is to say, the relative energy absorption eiciency of the material in compressionor tension or shear or torsion will enter into the design oi the package and particularly the relative position of the cushioning medium with respect tothe type and direction of shock which is normally enpeetable in a particuiar package.

it will now be evident that the invention presents many advantages in the eld of cushioned packages. ln'ithfe improved package marked economies in production are securedV particularly in respect to the reduced cost for the cushioning materials as compared toprior packages. As explained heretofore, in prior packages theforce' of impact was taken up or absorbed by one single pad actiniY only under compression, linterposed between the nested lfaces of the package to Which'the yforceplied; to secure complete cushioning in such packages it was necessary to provide six such single acting pads'. In the invention, on'the other hand, the full cushioning effect throughout the container can be secured by utililz ing only the quantity of material used in one such prior art padl This' is lbecause of the fact that when following the instructions of the invention and anchoring the pari or pads to adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer'cpn;

such segmental cushionmaterial are completely utilriized soi-that each pad acts in multiple directions establishing an elastic resistance under compression, tension, shear and torsion. Thus', the improved package ofthe invention which is of comparable size to such prior art package, but one-sixth of the cushioning material is required to secure the same cushioning effect.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that these are given didactically to illustrate the underlying principles involved and not as limiting the useful scope of the invention to such illustrative embodiments.

I claim:

1. A cushioned shipping container unit comprising `an outer container, an inner article of smaller size disposed Within said outer container and completely spaced therefrom, and a plurality of compressible cellular elastomeric pads interposed between facing surfaces of said container and said article, each of said pads being firmly attached to each of the adjoining facing surfaces whereby said pads provide elastic resistance to movement of said inner article relative to said outer container in every directiou.

2. A shipping container unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said pads are initially and normally slightly compressed.

3. A cushioned shipping container unit comprising an outer container, an inner article of smaller size disposed within said outer container and completely spaced therefrom, and a plurality of compressible cellular elastomeric pads interposed between facing surfaces of said container and said article, said pads being on opposite sides of said article, each of said pads being firmly attached to each of the adjoining facing surfaces whereby said pads provide elastic resistance to movement of said inner article relative to said outer container in every direction.

4. A cushioned shipping container unit comprising an outer container, an inner article of smaller size disposed within said outer container and completely spaced therefrom, and a pair of solid pads of compressible cellular` elastomeric material interposed between facing surfaces of said container and said article, said pads being on opposte sides of said article, each of said pads being rmly attached to each of the adjoining facing surfaces whereby said pads provide elastic resistance to movement of said inner article relative to said outer container in every direction.

5. A cushioned shipping container unit comprising an outer container, an inner article of smaller size disposed within said outer container and completely spaced therefrom, and a plurality of compressible cellular elastomeric pads interposed between facing surfaces of said container and said article, said pads being on only two opposite sides of said article and being the sole support of said article, each of said pads being firmly attached to each of the adjoining facing surfaces whereby said pads provide elastic resistance to movement of said inner article relative to said outer container in every direction.

6. A cushioned shipping container unitcomprising a fragile outer container, an inner article of smaller size disposed within said outer container and completely spaced therefrom, and a plurality of compressible cellular elastomeric pads interposed between facing surfaces of said container and said article, each of said pads being rmly attached to each of the adjoining facing surfaces whereby said pads provide elastic resistance to movement of said inner article relative to said outer container in every direction.

7. A cushioned shipping container unit comprising an outer container, an inner article of smaller size disposed within said outer container and completely spaced therefrom, and a plurality of compressible cellular elastomeric pads interposed between opposed side facing surfaces only of said container and said article, said pads being the sole support of said article, each of said pads being firmly attached to each of the adjoining facing surfaces whereby said pads provide elastic shear resistance to movement of said inner article relative to said outer container in endwise direction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,992 Van Wye June 9, 1908 956,810 Lamasney May 10, 1910 1,131,650 Alexander Mar. 16, 1915 1,457,496 Butler lune 5, 1923 1,579,014 Maertz Mar. 30, 1926 1,800,713 Bowersock Apr. 14, 1931 1,830,591 Clark Nov. 3, 1931 1,982,319 Perry Nov. 27, 1934 2,036,876 Kraft Apr. 7, 1936 2,257,804 Lord Oct. 7, 1941 2,382,569 Kilborn Aug. 14, 1945 2,516,124 Kishibay July 25, 1950 2,622,836 Lee Dec. 23, 1952 2,729,327 Roy Jan. 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,358 Great Britain 1910 128,990 Australia Sept. 1, 1948 

